Record breaking event for Cancer Research UK

20151025- Kirriemuir Relay For Life 'The total raised at this year's Kirriemuir Relay For Life was �117,055-51p which was announced at a presentation at Webster's High School on Sunday. ''Copyright Andy Thompson Photography / ATIMAGES''No use without payment.

Published:12:26Wednesday 28 October 2015

There were celebrations all round on Sunday when the final CRUK Relay for Life Kirriemuir grand total was revealed.

And it emerged the 2015 event was yet another record breaker with a whopping £117,055.51 raised.

Not only was it the largest in Scotland in relation to number of participants and teams but raised more money than ever before over the last 10 years.

At the presentation to Cancer Research UK on Sunday it emerged the total raised at Relay for Life Kirriemuir has increased at each event, with the total for 2013 of £88,556.88 being surpassed by nearly one third, an increase of 32 per cent.

The presentation was made at a special celebration at Webster’s High School by members of the committee and representatives from the teams who participated in this year’s event.

Many team members, captains, helpers and committee members turned up to hand over the money to Richard Cowie, local fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK.

Richard thanked not only the committee but the whole of Kirriemuir and those who helped raise the fantastic sum. He said he had been to many relays and each was unique - but the fun and entertainment at Kirriemuir and the atmosphere was something special.

Keith Hopkins, chairperson, said: “The committee has been absolutely overwhelmed by the amazing response to this year’s Relay on August 15 and 16. With 51 teams and 729 participants we had our biggest event to date, and the largest relay this year in Scotland. This was our fifth Relay for Life in Kirriemuir, and every time we think we cannot top the previous one but our supporters prove us wrong! Of course, CRUK relies on the money raised to fund world-class research, some of it locally in Dundee, but to us Relay is about so much more than the money raised. It’s a collective community response to a disease that, despite great progress, still robs us of too many birthdays with loved ones.”

The 24-hour community event sees participants take it in turns to walk, or run, around a track.

Keith continued. “It’s a fitting way to support those currently under going cancer treatment, celebrate those who survive cancer and remember those we have lost to the disease. On behalf of the committee, and CRUK, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported Relay for Life Kirriemuir in any way - the teams; the survivors; the many local groups and individuals who provide entertainment and logistical help at the event; the businesses who donate goods and help in kind, and the many, many people who dig deep to sponsor participants.’ See you in August 2017!”